(Lansing-MPRN) - Bills meant to gradually reduce Michigan’s prison population and bring down costs have new life in the state Legislature. The legislation went down in flames at the end of the last legislative session, in part because state Attorney General Bill Schuette and law enforcement groups said they didn’t have enough time to assess the bills. Now, the chair of the state House Criminal Justice Committee is spearheading a new effort to pass the measures - even though he voted against similar bills last session.

Earlier this month, State Rep. Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville) introduced legislation to fast-track the elimination of the Venture Michigan Fund. It’s designed to invest in venture capital firms around Michigan, that in turn, help them invest in growing businesses and hopefully create jobs. The fund has already had a large impact on the state, but there are worries about how it could affect the state’s budget in the future.